Most calligraphers have multiple calligraphy styles that they use to write. The styles are generally original, and each style follows its own set of rules set forth by its inventor. To date, I have come up with five styles for The Postman’s Knock. Every one of my styles is available to learn with a detailed printable worksheet, and this post will explain what makes each one special!Continue reading…

It’s *this close* to being October, so I’ve been trying to make our house a little more festive with a few tasteful Halloween decorations. This Frida Kahlo Halloween art has helped to add some graceful spookiness to our décor, and I hope it will do the same for yours! If you’re thinking that you could never make something like this, think again. Skeleton Frida comes to you today as a free printable that you need but trace over!Continue reading…

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday because … candy. It also offers the opportunity to make some playfully macabre creative projects (while you eat the candy)! Today’s blog post outlines my five favorite Halloween paper projects on the TPK site. You can start making them now so the holiday doesn’t sneak up on you!Continue reading…

The inspiration for this “just because” card comes from Carolyn Gavin‘s botanical sketches in Issue 11 of Flow Magazine. It’s hard not to love the juxtaposition of clean black and white components with watercolor! If you like the look of this project, give it a try! Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an artist, you can make it — I promise. Here’s how:Continue reading…

In late 2014, I released the Janet Style Calligraphy Worksheet Set. While I love the set and the style, these past three years have taught me a lot about how people learn most effectively. Furthermore, as I have used Janet Style calligraphy over the years, I’ve tweaked letters here and there. I wanted to develop a worksheet update that reflected those tweaks!Continue reading…

After years of apartment living, Hernán and I bought a house here in Boulder three months ago. We were lucky enough to find a home that has a separate apartment in the basement. For us, that’s perfect because both of our families live out of state, and they enjoy coming for long visits! When family members aren’t visiting, we plan on renting the basement apartment out on Airbnb. Since the day we moved in, we’ve been working on remodeling the basement. As you can see from Hernán’s paint-stained shirt, it has been quite an undertaking!Continue reading…

Calligraphy is everywhere nowadays: social media, food labels, and events all indulge in beautiful dip pen lettering. It’s hard not to look at gorgeously-penned script and wonder: “Could I do that? Would I be good at it? Would I like it?” The free “Am I Into Calligraphy?” printable worksheet will help you to determine just that!Continue reading…

No matter what your level of dip pen expertise is, calligraphy spacing can be a major challenge. It’s tough to maintain a consistent amount of space between letters! While block lettering allows you to mathematically space out letters evenly, you have to “eyeball it” with calligraphy. If that intimidates you, don’t despair! Today’s printable — a calligraphy spacing cross drills worksheet — will really help you to hone your spacing skills.Continue reading…

If you have read this blog for any period of time, then you know that I’m all about dip pen calligraphy. That said, I think it’s important to give yourself a creative challenge by switching up mediums and styles! For that reason, I’ve recently been experimenting with new hand-lettering styles. One serendipitous day, I was doodling in my planner, and I came up with a dot-studded lettering style that “stitches” together.Continue reading…